Programming a programmable input/output (I/O) interface module

Abstract

A method for execution by an input/output (IO) control module of an integrated circuit (IC) includes determining whether a programmable IO interface module is for dynamic or static use. The programmable IO interface module includes a configurable front-end module and a configurable back-end module. When the programmable IO interface module is for the dynamic use, determining to configure the programmable IO interface module as the dynamic use of a configuration of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations includes a bidirectional interface, an input, an output, a concurrent drive and sense interface, and a concurrent transmit-receive interface. The method further includes configuring the front-end module in accordance with the configuration, configuring the back-end module in accordance with the configuration, and determining whether to change the configuration to another configuration of the plurality of configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for execution by an input/output (TO) control module of an integrated circuit (IC), the method comprises: 
       determining whether a programmable IO interface module is for dynamic or static use, wherein the programmable IO interface module includes a configurable front-end module and a configurable back-end module; 
       when the programmable IO interface module is for the dynamic use:
 determining to configure the programmable IO interface module as the dynamic use of a configuration of a plurality of configurations, wherein the plurality of configurations includes:
 a bidirectional interface; 
 an input; 
 an output; 
 a concurrent drive and sense interface; and 
 a concurrent transmit-receive interface; and 
 
 configuring the front-end module in accordance with the configuration; 
 configuring the back-end module in accordance with the configuration; and 
 determining whether to change the configuration to another configuration of the plurality of configurations. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the programmable IO interface module is for static use:
 determining to configure the programmable IO interface module as a static use of the configuration; 
 configuring the front-end module in accordance with the configuration; and 
 configuring the back-end module in accordance with the configuration. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the configuration is the bidirectional interface:
 configuring the front-end module as a bidirectional switch. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the configuration is the input:
 configuring the front-end module as one of: a non-inverting operational amplifier (op-amp), an inverting op-amp, or a differential circuit. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the configuration is the output:
 configuring the front-end module as one of: a voltage output or an output driver. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the configuration is the concurrent drive and sense interface:
 configuring the front-end module as a concurrent drive-sense circuit. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the configuration is the concurrent transmit-receive interface:
 configuring the front-end module as a concurrent transmit-receive circuit. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the back-end module is configurable as one or more of:
 an inverter; 
 a digital to analog converter; 
 an analog to digital converter; 
 a digital filter; 
 a gain circuit; 
 a level shift circuit; 
 a transmit-receive data formatting circuit; 
 a bidirectional switch; 
 a buffer; 
 a delay circuit; and 
 a differential operational amplifier. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein configuration of the back-end module is based on one or more of:
 a desired data format; 
 configuration of the front-end module; 
 compatibility of the programmable IO interface module with other components of the integrated circuit; and 
 data synchronization of the integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further comprises:
 selectively coupling, via a first switching matrix, at least one pin of the integrated circuit to a selected configuration of the front-end module; 
 selectively coupling, via a second switching matrix, the selected configuration of the front-end module to a selected configuration of the back-end module; and 
 selectively coupling, via a third switching matrix, the selected configuration of the back-end module to a bus. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprises: 
       configuring the front-end module and the back-end module to operate as one of:
 a digital to digital output interface; 
 an analog to analog output interface; 
 an analog to digital output interface; 
 a digital to analog output interface; 
 a digital to digital input interface; 
 an analog to analog input interface; 
 an analog to digital input interface; and 
 a digital to analog input interface. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the determination is made to change the configuration to another configuration of the plurality of configurations:
 configuring the front-end module in accordance with the another configuration; 
 configuring the back-end module in accordance with the another configuration; and 
 determining whether to change the configuration to yet another configuration of the plurality of configurations.